Royal Melbourne Hospital in tune with mental health

Music is ringing through the corridors of the Royal Melbourne Hospital as the hospital celebrates the 8th Live Music is Good for You Festival.

Recognising the success of music therapy in assisting with recovery, 2017’s festival is highlighting the significant link between music and mental health.

With research showing that music triggers circuits in the brain that deal with empathy, trust, and cooperation, music therapy is used to help patients deal with stress, discomfort, pain, and other symptoms.

During the week (1-5 May 2017), the hospital’s corridors are filled with live music performances from hundreds of school students. Students will also attend workshops on the role of music in their own health and wellbeing.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s music therapy program helps patients who have been debilitated by illness, injury, or trauma.

It’s delivered in palliative care, cancer, neurology, and at Orygen Youth Mental Health as part of the psychosocial recovery clinical program.

The Victorian Government is working hard to implement Victoria’s 10-year Mental Health Plan to achieve better mental health outcomes for all Victorians.

As part of the plan, Orygen Youth Mental Health has received $60 million to rebuild its treatment and research facility in Parkville.

The Victorian Government has recently invested $2.6 million to upgrade Royal Melbourne’s mental health facilities and increase mental health support for general hospital patients who need to stay mentally well due to the impact of their illness or injuries.

“We know that a trip to hospital can be daunting for some—music therapy can help patients relax and the journey to recovery a little easier,” Victorian Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley said.

“Music can help our emotional and physical wellbeing—Royal Melbourne’s music therapy program is leading the way giving patients a little extra happiness during their stay.”

“Over the next week (1-5 May 2017), young and old will come together to make and enjoy music—benefiting both patients and those picking up an instrument.”